Question

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page 47 of 100
question 47
ecological isolation facilitates speciation by ______.
a decreasing natural selection
b decreasing gene flow
c increasing mutation rates
d preventing sexual selection

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Ecological isolation doesn't decrease natural selection; different environments may drive natural selection, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: Ecological isolation (organisms in different habitats) reduces gene flow (exchange of genetic material) between populations. Reduced gene flow allows genetic differences to accumulate, facilitating speciation. This matches the concept.
• Option C: Ecological isolation doesn't directly increase mutation rates; mutations are random and not caused by isolation, so C is incorrect.
• Option D: Ecological isolation doesn't prevent sexual selection; sexual selection can still occur within isolated populations, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. decreasing gene flow